The Washington critic., 1887-08-25

speedy fiddance, but she misCnlcuated
the man She hu1 beauty. spirit aud
fortune, and Clements Thought his own
fHultless taste would not fail to correct
his wifes slip shod shoes, soilcd
stockings, or III assorted hues would
not free her from his pointed ntten.
tions, and she therefore resolved upon
more strenuous efforts. 1t was an easy
transition from her present assumed
character to that of strong minded
woman. Her fluent tongue entertained
him with visionary projects for the
emancipation Of women. She even
spoke of a lecturing tour through the
State, and urged him to embark In the
same enterprise with all the cloquence
she could command. She took mali
cious pleasure In the secret writings
she knew she caused In his mind. If he
attempted to Introduce different topic
she replied indilIerently, as though she
took no interest in anything beside
her hobby. She would vOlubly
recount oil the abuses heapcd
upon her sex, from Eve down to this
age of female sufferers Once he gave
her moss rosebud in his most i'm
pressivo manner, and was on the verge
of declaration, when she brOachcd the
subject of the political disabilities of
women, and delivered long discourse
upon that point While so engaged
she picked his gift to pieces and scat.
tered II about the floor In his inmost
soul he determined schemes of eX.
quisitc vengeance when he should call
her his wife. lie would teach her some
disabilities that she did not now dream
of-some refined torturcs of spirit she
should feel If he could inilict them.
These thoughts were daguerreotypcd on
his countenance, or else Kate knew
them intuiiively. for she shuddered as
she glanced toward him. She was al.
most dishear,Onrd In her efforts TO
drive him on Nature, however, came
TO her relief In the shape of temporary
Illness, which slightly affected her
hearing. 1t was soon us acute MS ever,
but apparently 1t grew more impcr.
feet She assured Derwent tha,
1t was rapidly improving, but
took care, by making laughable mis-
takes In trying to understand him, to
let him see that she was only becom.
ing more deaf. Ills voice was low and
soft, and it was task and II horror for
him 10 raise 1t above its natural key.
His visits consequently became less
frequent at Mr.. Wyid's, but he had not
yet relipquished Kate. lie hated to
give up an object Uf pursuit until 1t was
obtained. He therefore meant to dc.
clare himself. The evening found him
In the familiar parlOr; and, resolving
no longer to delay il, he asked in a
high pitch If she would make his hap
piness by accepting his hand, his heart
and fortune. Kate was endeavOriug to
collect herself in order to maintain her
gravity, therefore she paid no kind of
attention 10 him. He was forced to
repeat the question or else beat re.
treat. His position was certainly one
of embarrassment.
"Will you be my wife" he shouted,
still more loudly.
Excuse me, Mr.. Clements, what did
you remarkI' inquired his tOrmentor,
innucenily.
Drops of pcrspiralion stood on his
forehead. He made one more effort,
this time screaming ut the top of mis-
voice:
II wish TO marry. VIII you be my
wife?"
a puzzled. doubtful look stole over
her face, as though she did not com.
| prehtnd, but smile of intelligence
took its place. She had caught tue
sound of one word.
Whom are you going to wed, If you
will allow me to ask Is the lady any
one know"
The tremblcd with suppressed mur.
riment, but managed to maintain an
outward calm. A sudden revulsion of
purpose and feeling seized his heart
You, ncverl lwOuld drown myself
before | would talk toyOu all my life,
he yelled.
lie did not even bid her good by. As
he stepped from the door, his chagrin
increased AS he met the full eye Of Erle
Chester, VINO must have overheard
everything.
His misfortuuts were many He en-.
countered Mr.. Wyldt in store who
asked him how his suit with Klte was
pruspuring. lie coolly replied that hu
had seen tit to withdraw his offer, as
she was evidently lhDorlng under Sc
rious physical impeachment
! MIR Wydc had of late been entirely
oh ivious of his domestic affairs, hut
his quick temper was aroused by this
open insult.
"N hat, sir, do | hear you say? Sir,
| you are Il kuUvr, an urrant kunve. \
ply steal impedimeut, sir Sne was IL
little deaf, know, hut has recovered.
Away from my sight, sir, or shall
give You physical impedimunt, sir ."
Poor Clemens
None 80 deaf as those who won't
hear"
Kate attained her ends, for her father
wisely told her to select her own nus.
band, as he should not try to assist her
any further. As the reader thinks,
she did not wait long or go great way
to make her choice Waverly Maga.
| zine.